【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of melatonin on renal injury induced by bile duct ligation in rats. MethodsSixtyfour rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=16 rats per group): the control group (CN), sham operative group (SO), bile duct ligation group (BDL) and bile duct ligation melatonin treatment group (BDL+Mel). Obstructive jaundice was induced by common bile duct ligation. Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were measured 4 d and 8 d after operation. NO and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in renal tissue were detected at the same time point, too. Histopathological changes of kidneys were examined by HE staining. ResultsIn BDL group, the plasma levels of NO, TB, DB, ALT, AST, BUN and Cr were higher than those of SO group (P＜0.01）, and the level of NO and activities of iNOS in renal tissue were significantly increased (P＜0.01）. However, in BDL+Mel group, the plasma levels of NO, ALT, AST, BUN and Cr were lower than those of the BDL group (P＜0.01）, and the level of NO and activities of iNOS in renal tissue were significantly suppressed (P＜0.01）; histopathological changes of kidneys were improved.ConclusionAugmentation of iNOS activities and increasing of NO production in local tissue contributed to renal injury induced by bile duct ligation, and the mode of melatonin’s protective actions, at least in part, relates to interference with no pathways.
ObjectiveTo study the changes of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) in the serum of Wistar rats with obstructive jaundice and to investigate its potential mechanism.MethodsEighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into obstructive jaundice group (OJ group, n=40） and sham operation group (SO group, n=40）. Before operation and the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th day after common bile duct ligation, the levels of LBP, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma were detected in all the rats. ResultsLBP levels in serum increased significantly in OJ group on the 10th day after operation compared with those of SO group. Moreover, LBP levels gradually increased in OJ group with the prolongation of obstructive time. A positive correlation existed between serum LBP and plasma endotoxin, TNF-α and IL-6.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that LBP in serum is high and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple organ injury secondary to obstructive jaundice. It may be an appropriate way to treat patients with obstructive jaundice by decreasing LBP levels in serum.